@handspike : [ fake ] Kate and Jimmy pretend to be a couple and are forced to kiss each other to blend in.
⸻ ❝ Listen, it was the easiest way to infiltrate the organization. I'm not saying you need to go full granola on this; we can just lie and say we're here to try and make things, make things work. ❞ With the rise of The Next Wave, a retreat for those looking to reconnect with the earth and their spirituality, came a strange spike in criminal activity. How these two were linked were still a mystery, so Jimmy had booked himself two tickets to their upcoming Couple's Retreat. His current hunch involved The Next Wave as an up and coming syndicate, using the deepest secrets (and the money lining the pockets of) of those attending to add to their numbers.
After all, nobody liked a "grounding couple's retreat" quite like the rich and out of touch. However, when it came time to get a second body on the trip, his 'other half' for the investigative journalism piece he was doing on these guys . . . everyone had something going on. If he was being completely honest with himself, he was hoping Cat would have some availability... but she had a project already.
With a handful of contacts in his pocket, he made a call. And now poor Kate had drawn the shortest stick. Here they were, in tropical wear ... and so far, nothing had come up. Jimmy was certain this was because they were still in the beginning stages of the retreat. Nobody goes straight into blackmail; they needed information first. They needed trust.
The most recent turn of events left them lounging side-by-side with their feet in the pool, discussing their plans to get a little more information. That is, until Jimmy noticed a pair of eyes on them. They needed to play this cool; their body language needed to match their actions, but not their words. Hushing his voice, his eyes melt into a loving gaze.
⸻ ❝ We're being watched. ❞ His hand gently places a lock of Kate's hair behind her ear. ❝ I think we'll be able to find out more after dinner; we could make a solid excuse for going for a walk. ❞ He leans in, capturing her lips with his own; his mind fighting to stay on task, despite the softness of her lips proving to be a good distraction. He pulls away, aiming to look like he's saying a sweet nothing before going in for another kiss. ❝ If they see us acting like this, I'm sure it won't look suspicious. We'll just look like a pair of young lovers wanting to get off some steam. This whole retreat is supposed to be about reconnecting, isn't it? Besides, some of the other couples are seriously doing too much. ❞
He moves his hand to the side of her neck; his index finger just below her ear and his thumb gently placed upon her cheek. ❝ You in? Or do you have a better idea? ❞
